Robby Hoffman is laughing about it now, but losing an Emmy to her Hacks co-star left her so devastated that she actually walked out of the ceremony. Appearing on Trixie Mattel and Katya’s The Bald and the Beautiful podcast, the comedian and actress confessed that she was “the biggest sore loser” after losing Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series at the 2025 Creative Arts Emmys to fellow Hacks star Julianne Nicholson.
Immediate Reaction to the Loss
“I was the biggest sore loser,” Hoffman admitted. “I lose immediately. We’re the first award up. I immediately lost, and we woke up with all the gusto in the world.” She joked that she and her sister had entered the ceremony acting as though they had already won. According to Hoffman, the loss came as a shock despite being nominated alongside heavyweights including Olivia Colman, Zoë Kravitz, Jamie Lee Curtis and Cynthia Erivo.
After Nicholson's name was called, Hoffman's sister grabbed her arm and declared, “We don't need this s---,” before the pair headed for the exit. Fortunately, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Trixie Mattel was there to comfort her backstage. Hoffman recalled joking through her disappointment and “stewing” over the result while Mattel offered support. Despite her frustration, she emphasized that Nicholson “beyond deserves it” and praised her Hacks performance.
Contractual Obligations Forced Her Return
Hoffman’s attempted escape was short-lived, however. She had been scheduled to present the award for Outstanding Cinematography and learned she was contractually obligated to return to the stage. “I had to present cinematography. I said, ‘Nah, I don't want to do that anymore,’” Hoffman recalled. “They said, ‘No, it's part of the program!’” Eventually, a few glasses of champagne helped her regain her composure enough to fulfill her duties.
Mattel later told Hoffman she found the comedian’s emotional honesty “refreshing,” joking that she entered the room looking as though “your whole family was murdered.” The pair laughed about the incident, with Hoffman admitting she had been surprised by how upset she actually felt.
Reflecting on the Emmy Loss
Hoffman joined Hacks in season 4 and remained through the show’s fifth and final season. Though the acting Emmy slipped away, she previously won a Daytime Emmy in 2019 for her writing work on Odd Squad, something she acknowledged helped soften the blow. Looking back, Hoffman ultimately accepted the result with good humor. “We can’t say anything is rigged,” she joked. “All fair.”
